Northwest Lower Peninsula
Manistee: High winds, large waves, and storms kept fishing activity slow during the past week. There was no boat activity to report. Anglers targeting steelhead from the pier reported slow fishing.
Ludington: High winds, large waves, and storms made it difficult for anglers to get out during the past week. When weather permitted, a few Chinook salmon were caught to the south in 115 feet of water out from the projects and at Big Sable Point in 140 feet of water. The piers were slow.
Charlevoix: Windy weather kept fishing pressure low. Anglers targeting salmon and trout reported slow catches, with lake trout and the occasional small Chinook salmon being caught. Those targeting cisco reported very low numbers while casting spoons in the Pine River channel.
Little Traverse Bay: Boat anglers targeting salmon and trout reported slow numbers in the Little Traverse Bay Area. The occasional lake trout and Chinook salmon were reported. Those traveling west of Harbor Springs found luck trolling in 70 to 120 feet of water. Bass anglers found some success casting tubes and body baits on both sides of the bay. Surface water temperatures were reported in the mid to upper 50s.
West Grand Traverse Bay: Tough weather conditions kept angling activity light during the past week. Windy conditions on several days kept most anglers off the water. Those who were able to get out reported catching lake trout and an occasional cisco while jigging near the Red 6 buoy in 50 to 80 feet of water. Anglers trolling along the west bank in 30 to 80 feet of water also caught a few lake trout. Smallmouth bass were caught throughout the bay along breaks in 5 to 10 feet of water. Swimbaits and drop-shot rigs produced the best results.
East Grand Traverse Bay: Anglers targeting smallmouth bass in the southern section of the bay reported a slower bite during the past week. Several days of strong south winds caused water temperatures to fluctuate significantly as the lake underwent turnover. As water temperatures rebounded into the 60s, anglers expected more smallmouth bass to move back onto the shallow flats. Lake trout were caught by anglers trolling in 30 to 70 feet of water. Smallmouth bass also continued to be caught in the Elk River.
Leland: Weather conditions kept most anglers off the water, as strong winds and waves created unfavorable conditions. Boat anglers who did launch and targeted Chinook salmon reported fair numbers in 150 to 200 feet of water near the crib and North Manitou Island. Fish were most active in the 80- to 120-foot depth range. A few anglers reported success with meat rigs, while green and blue spoons produced the most fish. Anglers noted that fish size was smaller, so baits needed to be checked frequently. Lake trout fishing continued to produce high numbers of successful trips while fishing the playground and second bank. Smallmouth bass fishing was reported as good, although high pressure resulted in reduced activity.
Frankfort/Lake Michigan: Weather during the week was wet and breezy, so anglers stayed off the big lake. Alewife moved out into deeper waters, so pier anglers reported no catches. Lake trout anglers in Platte Bay and Six Mile Hole reported very good numbers when weather conditions allowed, with cowbells producing the best results.
Onekama/Lake Michigan: Anglers have been heading out to 160 to 180 feet of water in the early morning hours and trolling the top 100 feet to pick up a few Chinook salmon on spoons.
Portage Lake/Onekama: Mayfly hatch was in full swing, so bass and panfish anglers had a rough time getting the bites.
Northport/Suttons Bay: Lake trout fishing for boat anglers was successful, with anglers launching from Sutton Bay and fishing around Stony Point. Locating structure to jig for lake trout produced the most fish.
